Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 18th, 2014 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Deep Persistent Slabs and Wind Slabs.

snow safety, Parks Canada

Banff Yoho Kootenay.

http://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/scond/Cond_E.asp?oID=15678&oPark=100092Natural activity has tapered off, but forecasters have low confidence in the snowpack due to the basal weaknesses. Now is not the time to venture into big terrain. SH

Summary

Weather Forecast

Freezing levels will stay near bottom, and alpine temperatures will stay well below freezing on Sunday. Expect light winds, a mix of sun and cloud, and no snow for the next few days.

Snowpack Summary

Windward features are mainly scoured to rock from last weeks storm. Widespread windslabs in lee and cross loaded features at treeline and above. Easy, sudden collapse compression results were found at treeline on Hwy 93 N today (E side of the highway), collapsing in the basal depth hoar. Some moist snow below treeline on solar aspects in the PM.

Avalanche Summary

One notable size 3 occurred in the last 24 hours on a solar alpine feature near Mt. Hector, stepping to ground. Most natural activity has ceased. Evidence of the widespread cycle from the last week is sobering, with many features having gone wall to wall on the basal layers.

Confidence

Due to the number of field observations on Saturday

Problems

Deep Persistent Slabs

Frequency of full depth avalanches on the basal depth hoar/crust is starting to slow down. Any slope that hasn't avalanched should be treated with caution, as it will be very high consequence if you trigger this layer.

Be aware of thin areas that may propogate to deeper instabilites.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

2 - 3

Wind Slabs

Wind slabs that have been triggered in the last couple days have provided enough weight to "step down" to the basal weaknesses.

Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Jan 19th, 2014 4:00PM